Eight years passed.
Thanos had reached the final year of his stay.
Throughout those eight years, Kang had behaved himself and treated Thanos with almost excessive courtesy.
Whenever Kang saw him, no matter the circumstances, he immediately smiled and did his best to meet every request.
Not that Thanos ever asked for much. When cultivation grew tedious, he occasionally ate something. That was all.
So Kang began having delicious food prepared for him every day.
Yet Kang himself still showed no interest in cultivation. He seemed content to play the part of an emperor.
Yes, an emperor.
Kang now wore glittering gold clothes, a crown on his head and a scepter in his hand.
He looked rather like the queen of some island nation.
Thanos had offered him a few words of advice at first, then left him alone and focused on his cultivation.
There was no persuading someone bent on death, and no saving someone determined to destroy himself.
Thanos had done all he could for Kang. If Kang wanted to throw his life away, Thanos would let him.
Time passed.
Thanos noticed Kang sought him out more and more often.
Each time, Kang brought something he thought was wonderful and tried to interest Thanos in it.
Beautiful women, treasures, weapons, armor—things like that.
To Thanos, they were all junk.
He turned Kang down every time.
Then came the day when only one month remained until the ten-year mark.
Thanos was cultivating as usual.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Knock, knock...
Thanos knew without checking with his mental power that it had to be Kang again.
On this Spaceship, Kang was the only one who dared seek him out. No one else would come near.
"Come in..."
At his words, the door swung open, and Kang